The new Microsoft Technology Center opened May 3, 2018 in the Denver Tech Center. It was carved out of existing space used by area Microsoft sales employees. Approximately 130 Microsoft employees work out of the building.

Tamara Chuang, Denver Post

The new Microsoft Technology Center opened May 3, 2018 in the Denver Tech Center. Microsoft Azure fidget spinners anyone?

Tamara Chuang, Denver Post

The new Microsoft Technology Center opened May 3, 2018 in the Denver Tech Center. The 10,000-square-foot space includes lounge areas and a small auditorium for demonstrations.

Tamara Chuang, Denver Post

The new Microsoft Technology Center opened May 3, 2018 in the Denver Tech Center. For the grand opening, employees from the Microsoft Store at Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree brought in some new computers.

Microsoft opened a new tech center Thursday that caters to business professionals, community members and children who want to learn more about technology — and Microsoft’s software and services.

The new Microsoft Technology Center, one of dozens around the globe, moved into space carved out of the company’s existing sales operation in the Denver Tech Center. The center has eight dedicated employees, while Microsoft’s sales group employs about 120 at the same location.

The 10,000-square-foot facility, at 7595 E. Technology Way, was turned into lounge areas and meeting spots plus a small amphitheater. Tracey Kelly, director of MTC Denver, said the space is open to businesses looking for free advice (“Basically, we’re a startup for big business,” she said). It’s even open to business partners who want to have meetings with prospective clients — but they’re not allowed to charge a cent while on the premises, Kelly said.

It’s also a spot where the company hopes to host community events and student programs promoting science, technology, engineering and math or STEM.

“A lot of companies are very far behind the eight ball in technology, they’re almost in Lotus Notes. We help them think about not catching up but leapfrogging,” Kelly said. “… And the second focus is education. If you want to come back next week, we’re going to have DigiCamp with 80 middle school kids. We’re going to get them exposed to VR, AR, data and bots and help them understand what that means because they’re our future.”

​Tamara Chuang covers personal technology and local tech news for The Denver Post. She loves figuring out how things work and explaining them either through words, graphics or video. Find out how to contact her at dpo.st/tamara